Patent US4259959A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4259959A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Suturing element
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1978-12-20
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Granted: 1981-04-07
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Expires: 1998-12-20
Abstract
Abstract The disclosed invention is a suturing element comprising a backbone or strip of material with numerous hooks extending therefrom in at least two directions. It is used by inserting it into the wound so that the hooks snag the tissue edges and hold them together while the wound heals.
Inventors
- 👤 Wesley W. Walker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 20:53
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/08; A61B17/04; A61B17/06; A61B2017/06057
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
A suturing element comprising: a backbone where said backbone is a relatively thin strip of material having flat upper and lower surfaces; a first set of hooks extending substantially perpendicularly from the upper surface in a first direction; a second set of hooks extending from the lower surface in a second direction, said first and second directions being opposite to each other; each of said hooks having a stem and means for snagging tissue; said snagging means of said first set of hooks being aligned in a third direction and said snagging means of said second set of hooks being aligned in a fourth direction; and substantially all of said directed snagging means on a given side of said thin strip lie in a plane which is substantially parallel to the adjacent surface of said thin strip.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
A suturing element comprising: a backbone where said backbone is a relatively thin strip of material having flat upper and lower surfaces; a first set of hooks extending substantially perpendicularly from the upper surface in a first direction; a second set of hooks extending from the lower surface in a second direction, said first and second directions being opposite to each other; each of said hooks having a stem and means for snagging tissue; said snagging means of said first set of hooks being aligned in a third direction and said snagging means of said second set of hooks being aligned in a fourth direction; and substantially all of said directed snagging means on a given side of said thin strip lie in a plane which is substantially parallel to the adjacent surface of said thin strip.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The suturing element of claim 1 wherein said hooks are arranged on said upper and lower surface in about a 1/4" grid pattern spacing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The suturing element of claim 2 wherein said hooks are approximately 1/32" to 1/8" in length.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The suturing elements of claim 1 wherein said backbone is made of somewhat flexible material and said suturing material is made of biologically compatible material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The suturing element of claim 1 wherein said third and fourth directions are opposite directions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
103 words
A suturing system for an open wound having opposing tissue surfaces comprising: a backbone, said backbone being a relatively thin strand; three sets of hooks, said sets of hooks extending from said backbone in different radial directions; said hooks having a stem and means for snagging tissue, said snagging means extending in the same circumferential direction with respect to said backbone and lying in parallel planes; said directions of said sets being sufficiently divergent so that when said suturing element is placed within a wound, said snagging means snag the opposing tissue surfaces of said wound as said tissue surfaces are forced together.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
103 words
A suturing system for an open wound having opposing tissue surfaces comprising: a backbone, said backbone being a relatively thin strand; three sets of hooks, said sets of hooks extending from said backbone in different radial directions; said hooks having a stem and means for snagging tissue, said snagging means extending in the same circumferential direction with respect to said backbone and lying in parallel planes; said directions of said sets being sufficiently divergent so that when said suturing element is placed within a wound, said snagging means snag the opposing tissue surfaces of said wound as said tissue surfaces are forced together.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-04-06 | 1984-10-06 | 1985-04-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-04-06 | 1988-10-06 | 1989-04-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-04-06 | 1992-10-06 | 1993-04-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |